The vast majorities of the millions of people who gamble, do so responsibly and for fun. A study at The Harvard Medical School found that 1.5 percent of the adult U.S. population suffers from pathological gambling. However small this percentage, the Illinois gaming industry takes problem gambling very seriously.

 

  The ICGA is committed to promoting responsible gaming and offering support mechanisms for people in need of help.

 

  Illinois casinos have implemented and contributed to a variety of responsible gaming programs including:

 

• A 24/7 Help line /Referral Service~(1-800-Gambler)

​     Funded by the ICGA, this number appears on casino print advertising and direct mail to patrons, as well as on posters, pamphlets and business card-sized handouts at each casino. Nine of the existing ten casinos financially support this program. 

 

​

• Employee Training

​    The casinos train all employees on the signs and symptoms of pathological gambling and empower them to discuss the issue with any patron who may need assistance.

 

 

• Self-Exclusion Programs

​     Illinois riverboat casinos work closely with the Illinois Gaming Board to promote a statewide,state-administered Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program. Any self-excluded individual who attempts to enter or enters any casino in Illinois will be arrested for trespass. Additionally,all individuals who appear under the age of 30 years of age will be required to present a government issued I.D. 

 

To contact, call 1-877-YOU QUIT or (312)814-8832. 

 

Illinois Alliance on Problem Gambling-click here